Ødegaard: We wanted to win the EPL and UCL double, now we're a bit disappointed

After finishing as runners-up in the Champions League, Arsenal captain Ødegaard spoke to the media.

What was the mood like after the game and in the changing room?

The general atmosphere is quite low right now. Everyone is very disappointed. When you're so close to winning again, it could have felt incredible, but now it's really hard to accept. Yes, everyone is disappointed, and as I said, it's hard to accept. But at the same time, we also know what we did this season, we achieved something remarkable, and today we were so close to making it perfect. So right now there's certainly disappointment, but we also have to see the bigger picture and remember all the positives.

Martin, you said it's hard to accept. From the low points of your career, how low does this feel right now?

It's really hard to accept right now because you want to win so badly, and we all wanted to win so badly. Obviously, having just won the Premier League, that was a fantastic achievement, and we had a good chance today, and I feel we were very close to victory. I think after we took the lead, we controlled the game well. They had a lot of possession but didn't create many chances. And then it came down to a penalty shootout, which is a very tough way to lose. So, yes, it's hard to accept. But as I said, we also did something remarkable, so we have to try to see the bigger picture.

Martin, after the penalties, after Gabriel missed, Marquinhos was the first to run to Gabriel. What do you think of his actions?

Yes, he is a gentleman. He is probably one of the most experienced players on the field, he has been through this level of final, and he knows what we are going through. So, I have a lot of respect for his actions then, and also for him as a player and a person.

Have you talked to the two players who missed penalties, Gabriel and Eze?

Yes, of course. It's our responsibility now to lift them up again. We know what they've given to the team this season, and we wouldn't be here without them. This is part of football, and part of life. Our task now is to help them, and also help the whole team to bounce back and make sure we come back stronger next season.

Is winning the Premier League more important than winning the Champions League?

We wanted to win both, so it's a shame we couldn't do that. Of course, the Premier League is a huge achievement, but we wanted to win both. So right now we're a bit disappointed.